Francisco Rodriguez is done. As the Detroit Tigers' closer. At least for now. At least he should be.
That’s a harsh assessment for a pitcher who has been so good for so long. But it’s also true. And obvious -- to everyone but the Tigers.
It feels that way, right?
When manager Brad Ausmus sent Rodriguez to the mound in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon in Oakland to protect a one-run lead, the entire state of Michigan winced. Then closed its eyes. Because it knew what was coming.
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Not only had Rodriguez struggled in almost every outing so far this season, he’d blown a save the night before, walking a middling hitter with two outs and no one on base to graciously help the Athletics' rally.